Search form

You are here

Greek Yogurt Brands Face Off with Big Ad Campaigns

Greek yogurt is more popular than ever, and now top brands are facing off with major ad campaigns. Both Chobani and Dannon Oikos have confirmed that they have ads premiering during February's Super Bowl—an amazing fact considering most game-day commercials are for junk food and beer! Today, Dannon released a teaser of the upcoming commercial featuring a Full House reunion of sorts with John Stamos, Bob Saget, and Dave Coulier still cohabitating almost a decade after the show went off the air (see the full teaser below). General Mills also launched a new marketing campaign on Monday for its Yoplait Greek yogurt in an attempt to take back market share from Chobani, according to an article in the Star Tribune. The national campaign, called “Taste Off,” features Yoplait going head on against Chobani in a television ad and on all social media channels, asking the consumer which tastes better.

While the next few months should be entertaining as Greek yogurt has its moment in the spotlight, marketing messages can sometimes be confusing. When it comes to nutrition, how do these products really stack up? The comparison below should help you better understand the choices. The following numbers are based on 8-ounce servings of nonfat vanilla yogurts.

Brand Calories Sugars Protein Calcium

Yoplait 211 27g 17g 15%

Oikos 190 27g 17g 20%

Chobani 180 22g 21g 25%

With more protein and calcium, Chobani slightly edges out the competition from a nutritional standpoint. Yoplait and Oikos also add potassium sorbate to maintain freshness and modified corn starch, a thickening agent, whereas Chobani contains only all-natural ingredients. But should these be the deciding factors in what you buy?

I tell my patients, first and foremost, you should enjoy the taste. Obviously, no matter how nutritious Greek yogurt is for you overall, if you don’t like it, you certainly won’t eat it. Secondly, I encourage them to try plain (only Chobani and Oikos come in this variey) instead of flavored, creating their own sweetness via fresh fruit and reaping in the many health benefits (i.e. antioxidants, fiber). And third, even though most people think that nonfat is the way to go, I usually suggest the low-fat varieties. I have found that the little bit of added fat helps my patients to be more satiated.